Police Blotter

Published: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014 10:40 a.m. CDT

Newton Police Department

• Ashley Jo Baetsle-Knapp, 26, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended and cited for no insurance after authorities stopped her Feb. 11 in the 300 block of West 10th Street North in reference to a hit-and-run accident being investigated. She was found to be driving with a suspended license, charged and released to appear in court.

• Anthony R. Cornwall, 16, of Newton was cited with failure to maintain control after authorities responded to a two-vehicle accident at 3:41 p.m. Thursday on West Sixth Street South. Cornwall was traveling north on Sixth Street when he struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Nicholas R. Rusk, 16, of Newton, who had stopped to drop off a passenger. Each vehicle sustained an estimated $400 damage.

• Desmonne Hoffert, 23, of Ankeny was arrested on a Des Moines warrant for reckless driving after Newton police stopped him at 1:22 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of South Fifth Avenue East. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Larry D. Karlzen, 42, of Newton was charged with driving while license suspended and cited for no insurance after authorities stopped him at 12:50 a.m. Friday in the 300 block of East Ninth Street North and determined his license had been suspended. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• John J. Moyle, 31, of Redfield was charged with fifth-degree theft after authorities responded to a theft report at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday at Walmart. Store employees told authorities the suspect had run out of the store with electronics. The suspect, identified as Moyle, was located in a barn at 3105 First Ave. E., where he eventually surrendered. The bag with the stolen merchandise — two headphones valued at a total of $158.88 — was located in the field south of where Moyle was apprehended, along with his coat. He was charged and transported to the Jasper County Jail.

• Melissa D. Shanks of Baxter was charged with driving while license suspended after authorities stopped her at 8:20 a.m. Thursday in the 1000 block of First Street North for speeding. Authorities determined her license was suspended. She also was cited for speeding and released to appear in court.

• Kelsie D. Spears, 21, homeless, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities located her at 7:51 p.m. Wednesday to arrest her on warrants from Jasper and Marion counties. During her arrest, police asked Spears if she had anything on her, and she stated she had two syringes in her purse. One syringe had a clear liquid Spears stated was methamphetamine. The second syringe was empty, and authorities also found a digital scale. Spears was transported to the Jasper County Jail.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. It is the policy of the Newton Daily News to release the names of individuals charged with a crime who are 16 and older.